^, CIHM Mfcroflche '%>' (Monographs) ICMH Collection de microfiches (monographies) I ■''St*"-' Canadian institut* fdr Mittorical IMIIcroraproductlona / Ihatltut Canadian da microraprodiictlona hlatoriquaa Ai " . ' r :«*. TMhnlcirf and BlbNofraj^ic Notn / MoM* tMhniquJM at MMiocraiptiiquM TiM Initituta hat attainptMl to obtain tha bait orifinal copy aVailabIa for filminf. FaaturM ol this cnmr whkh mav ba biMiofraphically uniqua. which may altar any of tha imafat in tha raprodoetiofi, or which may (ignif icantly chanfi th« i^mmI mathod of f ibniiit. ara chackad balow. L'inttitut a itiicrofilml i« mailiaur •xcmpfairt qu'tl lui a M possiMa da ta prbcurtr. 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THOXTGHTS ON TUB lltlatbn of ^aptijeb C^iktn tfl l|r (Ib^ur^ AND TIIK DUTY AND RESPONSIBILITY !■ WHieil IT INVOLVES, " God made Childhood for Eternity." m ' . - ■■■■''.■-."' " " "' ■••'."■'-."''■' * ' ■ .'il^H Wf . .. •■■ , .. . ' ■■; ' "/ ':. . ■ - / TORONTO,^-- .; \''''^'- .. ■■ ' J ^^^^1 ■■•.'■ " .rniNTKD FOE THE AUTIldll, AT TUB " QUAuDIAN" OFPICB, EINa ST. EAST. ; V ^^^^1 ■ " ■' isei^i :'■ ■:^• . / ■rfM^^^^^^l ■ '"'^''■- '":'■'■ _' ■.,'•1 Price m Cent*. ■ -; .. ■■ : ',' .' ' ■■' ■■•■ ■ '■' ' V ■' ' .'■■■ .-'.::- ' ' ''■ . . ' - L-^ ' ,-X. . m ipiiPiWP"!;^ .5 J • a / i^y ;;VJ.. I^HP 3- V«l 5^%^ ■■11 X. ■# I*/ • TO THE READER. This lilUe twatise is presented to the Christian public, wiiha hope that it may aid in promoting a deeper interest in the Chris- lian nurture of " the children jaf the Church." It has not heen written to support any special theory, or maintain any set of opin- ions, but with a sincere d««rc to •♦know the truth," and to present a scriptural view of this question of Helationship and Duty. To determine how all her available resources may be most success- fully employed to secure the salvation of the young from the spiritual dangers which threaten them, is. in nay opinion, the mostj important question demanding solution from the church of our day. Whatever diversity of orfifc""*'*y ®*"' °" speculative points, there is no room for difiereiiH%»pecting the necessity that exists for increased wisdom, earnestness, and self-denying efibrt to,lead our youth in the morning of life, to a saving knowledge of Christ their Redeemer. E. H. D. Hamilton, C. W., 1st May, 1861. '^-^ » ■ iw^niiui iniiiw^p^pp^^ci u *-!-!> t< vV^ > .■|,'» ^Pfp^^H^W- npn^ ^iP fm ipppw V, N- rs- -\ THECHILDRKN OF THKCIlDllCHi TiioxjGmxs OM Till «fto.,&o. "flrirtff M«m w/» in the nurture and (ulmonition of the Lord." — Bpli. vl. 4. V. N.V.'W-S. ■V"S,-V>«^ > Ko subject presents stronger claims to serious regard than the conditio^ of the children of the Church, and their claims to chris* tian nurture and faithful guardianship. The inipurlance of pos- sessing true and scriptural views of this queatioa of relationship j and duty can scarcely be over-estimated. Its discussion embraces the doctrine of human depravity — the unconditional benefits of the Atonement — the responsibility of the Church, and serious enquiry, respecting the most effectual means of saving the young, from the tendencies of a sinful nature, «nd the shares thafare spread to lure them, ''far (^om the paths of peace." In ita doc- trinal aspects it is also a slibject of embarrassing delicacy. He that can approach it without feeling this has yet to led rn the vast- ness of his theme; and has never fully realized the difficulties of a question, around which so many conflicting opinioni surge in j ceaseless collision. Whatever theological conclusion we adopt, we place ourselves in opposition to names justly revered for piety and learning; But in the discussion^ of such n question as this — though not unimpressed with the respect due lo the opinions of others— 4)0 reverence for great i names should silence a conviction ; -t .s -^ • : ' '■ -^. * •■ -^ll .- . ■ '»■ ^■-J^J * ^"^l^f^jT^^Y ^ I 'vr ' f^T, 6 •,.i ifey j"^ \ti '.J i0 & m of truth. The Bible must be our only standard of appenl. •' To the law and to the testimonjr, if thcj speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." Why examine the I subject at all, if we are unwilling to accept the conclusions to which a prayerful and dispassionate examination of the whole quiestion con4ucls us? Why profess to search for. truth, if we have determined fo accept no other conclusion than one already adopted? /Those who maintain that all that is comprehended in this question is fully settled in our connexional writers, assert more than can be easily proved. If so, whence arises the diverfdty of opinion that on this subject undeniably exists amongst us? Our standard theological writers are esseniially sound, as far as they I go, but there is a want of explicitness in their explications of the 'moral condition of infants, which has left a corresponding vague- ness m the opinions of both ministers and people on an important subject, in which ous. theoretic views determine ouf sense of duty. Before proceeding to examine "the relation of baptized children to the Church," there are other questions underlying this, and inter- woven with it, thait materially affect our ultimate conclusion, which claim our attention. Tt is undeniable that our views of the nature and design of baptism — of the constitution of the Church — and. the moral condition of infants before baptism, must determine our decision on the relation of children to the Church after baptism. If it be thought that the discussion of these topics is not neces- sarily involved in our theme, let it be remembered, that an e:cposition without this would be erecting a building without examining the foundation. This would imply the assumption, with- out examination or proof, of the points on which the solution mainly turns. We will therefore first examine what the Holy Scriptures *impariially interpreted, give us to understand, , respecting the \ moral condition of infant?, and their relation to the Atonement of ■Christ. . ;':'.■ --^ '! 1 . f appenl. •» To iccording to tliis ^hy examine the e conclusions to of the whole for. truth, if w« an one already omprehended in ;ers, assert more thie diversity of ongst us? Our d, aa far as they plications of the (ponding vague* on an important ir sense of duty, tized children to ; this, and inter- onclusion, nhicb . mot the nature e Church — and it determine our after baptism, ics is not neces- bei-ed, that an )uilding without ssumption, with- : solution mainly loly Scriptures respecting the le Atonement of '. •?>J' ■| I. Of DI»rilUSNT THEODIES RBSPEOTINa TUB MORAL OOMDITION INFANTS. DifferentviewshavebeentakenW this subject by tbeological writers, which of course have been modified, or mainly formed by the theological systems they had adopted. Some of these we will briefly review: ^> : i.. i^ j • *i.« . 1. There is the doctnne of natur^punty, which denies the / depravity of human nature, attd asserW its moral rectitude. Of • course all who take this position on the general condition of men* will regard children as perfectly pure, until they are corrupted by evil example. This theory is contrary to the direct testimony of the Holy Scriptures, which declare man's natural condition to be one of depravity and unholiness, and his nature to be prone to evil It of necessity ignores the work and office of the Holy Spirit in renewing and purifying the heart, which is explicitly re- vealed in the Bible. It is equally opposed to what we obsenre « the universal tendency to forg6t God, and sin against Him, which characterizes our race. This amply corroborates the Bible testi- mony respecting the sinfulness of man's nature. No power of example can account for the universal aversion to holiness, the wickedness and unbelief that are so inseparably interwoven with the history of our race, in every age and clime. The example of the wicked could present no temptation to a perfectiy holy being. This theory increases onr danger by biding it from sight. % Some maintain that the soul is pure in itsdj, hut thai the deJUement ariies from its connectioh with the body. They forget that moral impurity can Qot belong to any merely corporeal, organization. From this union of sottl and body duties and dan^ gers arise that else would not, exist 5 but the sin or evil must exist in the mind. It is the possession of an unconstrained will that constitutes us responsible and moral beings. Those who receive / i^-^tn^^ w ' fK this doctrine cannot of cotirse attach much importance to baptism; is^> '""^ ^^^^ cannot from snch a stand point, understand tlie meaning ]rh^\'Vm^^ ordinance, that symboliaej the essential impuritj of the ^ /; heart, aAd the necessity of cleansing and renewal by the Spit it of God. Parents who imbibe these sentiments must teach their children that their only danger is from tlie power of animal nature, ' and that self-mortificatipn is the only way of holiness ; and thus an unseriptural ascetism will be put in place of the work of the Spirit of God. 3. The Church of Rome, and a large section of the Episcopal Church of England, *hile acknowledging the inherent depravity. I of infants, teach, that hy baptism ptt^erly administered, they are lorn again ; for though-;^ being by ^ature boru-in sin and the children of wralli, they are ttereby made the children of grace. This is contrary to general experience and observation, for there is no evidence that those bapliaed are the subjects of a saving change of nature, not dveiHo others. It is without support in . : the Word of God, anf opposed to its testimony. The sacred writers make a distinct difference between the outward sign and the inward grace signified. «The like figure," sailh (he Apostle Peter, ** whereunto «ven baptism doth now save us, {not iJie put- ting away oj the filth of the fle»h, but the answer of a good conscience towards God ;) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ." (Pet. iii. 21.) If baptism be regeneration, or the means of cod- j Hiring it, bow could St. Paul say that he was sent, «uot to bap- tize, but to preach the Gospel 1" (Cor. i. 17.) Or how could he I thank God (I Cor. i. 14,; that he baptized none but Grispus and qaius, and the household of Stephanas;" and, .in the same epistle» (1 Cor.iv.l5,) say, "For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers j for in Chiist Jesus have I begotten you through the gospel ?» Is not faith an essential condition of regenferatlion and justification? When we look into the New Testament and see the deep spirituality of this great X ■N: 0: .: ) 9 tance to bapti'snn and tlie meaQing impuritj of the hj the Spit it of oust teach thejr of animal nature, liness ; and thus the work of the 9f the Episcopal lerent depravity. lini'stered, they rv'in sin and the Idren of grace, ration, for there Bcts of a saving thout support in i^. The sacred utvrard sign and ith the Apostle s, {not tfie put- fiffer of a ^ood Jesus Christ." means of cod- t, "not to bap-' r how could he )ut Grispus and le sane epistlej^ land instructors iiist Jesus have ith an essential a we look into y of this great change, and the fruits of the spirit described as reiulting from it, it cannot be denied that the substitution of baptism for scriptural regeneration must be the cause of keeping many from seeking to eiperience the renewal of their mind by the power of the Holy Ghost; and beyond all doubt the reception of this error has caused thousands to rest in a false security, without the life of God in the soul. 4. Calvinisti6 writers, in order to be consistent, have been com- pelled to deny the salvation of infants, (except they were elect.)' But to relieve the harshness of consistency with their theoretic creed, it has been generally assumed that all who die in infancy are saved, being regenerated by special grace. .Logical consis-' tency is sacrified, rather than do violence to parental affection and hope; or tarnish the justice of God our Creator, by repre- senting Him as dooming to eternal suffering the innocent, who had never transgressed His law. • The most common opinion among those why believe in total depravity, and also in the salvation of ^hose who die in infancy,!^ substantially the same as the theory last stated, via., that God re- generates those wlu) die in infanci/yand thus gives them a meet- ness for heaven, and a claim-to its happiness. A late writer on this subject says, "But I assume that they who die in infancy are included in the plan of redemption; and that God, having purposed to take them out of the world, ere they reached ihe period of accoaritability, purposed al.^o to prepare them for the change; and even when no evidence, from the nature of the case, be given, let them, (parents) hope for it ; and if the child perad- venture be snatched away by death, let them hope and believe that regeneration has preparpd it for the glorious transition.** (Dr. Waterbury). The general consolation given to parents is of the same hesitating cWracter. To all this we have one important objection. We have no right to hope if we have no ground of hope, and no right to make o^mnptions .■■■■■:•■ ■ A-1 ■ "■ ■ . '-■, . :. -^' :■ I ):" s.--' .«!■ la 7 -I I'! I, Y involving tUe deepest interests without proof. Either we have some scriptural warrant to believe that such children are Mved, or we have not. If we have, let us give glory to the Divine mercy, and rejoice in the assurance of their safety. But if any take the contrary position^we cannot see what ground such persons have to hope or believe in a probable regeneration, which God may work in those who die. \ Either children who die in infancy are saved by virtue of an iiiterest in the atonement of Christ and the covenant of redemption, whieh all infant children have, or they are not saved at all. And^bat they are thus saved there cannot be a reasonable doubt. rWe should, however, be- lieve in the salvation of infants, not in spite of our theology, but a theology drawn from the Word of God, and consiiitent with itself^ should be the foundation of such confidence. We have no reason to1)elieve that God looks with more favour on the child appointed unto death, than on (hat appointed unto life. ^ If men, in order to u&tain man-made (greeds will close their eyes on Bible truth, and shVt their ears to the voice of reason, let them at least be silent, and nbt^attcmpt to supply the, place of the tru(h» neglecte^^ by unfounded speculation. In grave theological questions, we require proof, not hypothesis. Why should the true ground, upon which ^ we have a warrant to believe, in the salvation of children dying in infancy, be ignored, and' the deficiency supplied by conjectural theories? •-■.■ V''>- • \ ■■ "'f ■/ ' This theory is unquestionably a reaction frOm the harsh and dark views of the moral condition of children, commonly presented byr Calvinistic writers, and others who have followed them in their pictures of the depravity of man. These pictures were frequently untrue, inasmuch a^ they represented all unconverted men, not as I they really jyefe, but as they would have been, without the draw- ings of the Spirit, and the power of restraining grace. "Total depravity" ha.*^ been so taught as to represent every individual uBConverted as a mass of moral rottenness, without one pulse of X X. 11 of. Either we iich cbildreh are ive glory to the leir safety. But rbat ground such ;eneration, which dxen who die in be atonement of II infant children y are thus saved lid, however, bc- * theology, but a jitent with itself^ ) have no reason i chi^d appointed ' men, in order to Bible truth, and t least be silent, li» neglectea^\|)y itions, we requirei^ und, upon which bildrcn dying in I by conjectural ■ I' \' i harsh and dark ly presented by^ ed them in their were frequently 'ted men, not as thout the draw' grace. "Total every individual ut one pulse of ) life, and without one particle of moral ability or excellence in W» nature, itt order that the whole work of his resurrection fromj spiritual death might be ascribed to the irresistible energy of the Holy Spirit. The utter inability of man, and the irresistibility of , the Spirit's influence, are evidently doctrines adjusted to each f other, designed to harmoni*e io the creed, of which they form so prominent a part. Even Arminian writers have probably used some of these terms and phrases in a manner that neither the Word of God nor the experience of men would fully warrant. Though we be- lieve that the doctrine of universal infant regeneration, taught by the lat^ Mr. Mercein, and others, is untenable ; yet we cannot re- ceive with cordiality some of the views and expressions presented by divines of the most undoubted orthodoxy. When we hear the sufferings of infants pointed to us as evidences that they are guiltf objects of Divine wrath, or hear it set forth that every child bor« into the world wears the image of the devil, we confess a decided preference for language and sentiments of a more scriptural char- acter. We revere the memory of the great and good, whose work is now with God, " nevertheless we have a more sure won! of prbphecy, whereunto we do well that we take heed." Add let it be remembered that we follow not those great men best by an unquestioning faith in every sentiment and proposition they wrote ; but rather by searching for truth, wilh the same indepen- dent scrutiny that characterized their researches. We should love truth better than creeds— better than names— better than even reputation or life. Thus the martyrs spirits of the church haXe ever loved it. W<^ cannot admit that all unconverted men are so totally de- praved that there is nothing in them to command approval, for we > see as a rt»atter of fact that a great difference exists between the / best and thd^ worst of the unconverted class. Nor yet that man has no moral aMIity previous to his conversion* for there can be ^r no,responsibilityVi thout ability: and wc know that all men are ^ 1 1\ i.e. ' Hi X flccoant^ble to (lod. Looking upon innocent, artless cTiirifrerr. such as once were foliled to the Saviour^s Tovinr; heart and blcsoeir, we recoil from the belief that they are as guilty and devilish as they have been sometimes painted. There is no doubt that this vl error results from ignoring or denying the iufTuence of the Hofy Grhost, which is given to at! for whom Christ died. But they who jf hold that the spirit is given only to the efect, and that all men are /^ depraved by nature, cannot consisfentFy acknowledge that there }y IS any good in maif before regeneration. It was, we repeat, a rebound from these views of deprftvity, iminitigated by grace, that gave birth to the dWrrae of Infant Regeneration, as recentTy (aught, and the earnest ''appeols on be- half of the yoQng which have been gcneralTy connected with it. It is Very much to be regrettcfd that these eloquent appeals and calls to duty, should be based upon a theory unsoppgrted by reason and scripture. Surely it cannot be necessary to receive this doc- trine, in order to feel our obligations to train up our children "in the nurture and admonition of the Lord?" Nor can it be shown (hat its reception is at all hkely to produce a deeper sense of ob- ligation to perform this duty. We olject to this doctrine, because it is unsupported by the Word of God. Can we be .expected to receive without question, as incontestable, a theory ' which its warmef-t advocates would not dare to soy is directly taoght in the Bibfe. The argument, "All who are in the Kingdom of God are regenerate ; children are m the Kingdom of (a od^ therefore they are regenerate,** assumes the main point at issue, ^viz: that all who are in the Kingdom of Gpd are regenerate. Holy angels are in the Kinp;doin of God, though they are not re- ^ generated beings. Indeed neither of the premises in th's syllogism are unquestioned. There are Other conditions of salvation besides ^regeneration, which might with equally good logic, though with greater apparent absurdity^ be predicated of children. And if in natural birth children were born again, certainly the terms <* re- •■*'• ■■>•- ■ — ^-*-^-' — ,,f!,p. I ^ M.^ arlfess cMMreiTt leart and blcsseir, |r and devili&h ft9 doubt that this !Dce of the Hory . But they who that all men are ledge that there iws of depravity, lictrine of Infant t^ appeals on be- ctedwithit. It is peahapd calls to d by reason anJ eceive this doc- oar children " inr ' ean ft be shown jper sense of ob- t) this doctrinev >d. Can we be estable, a theory to say is directly i in the Kingdom ingdom of tlod' y iin point at issue, are regenerate, they are not re- sin th's syllogis'in salvation besides )gic, though with dren. Aod if in the terms <* re- GRNBnAtKD,** and ''born again,'* have no appropriate apiilicationj, in the sense in which they are used in thq Scriptures. For if this is true, how can it be truthfully or appropriately said to all, "yo must be born ngaiu?" This doctrine is practically very close to Pelagianism, whatever the theoretic diflfcrence may be said to be; and far from its reception being a means of awakening a deeper interest in tlic condition of the young, and producing important practical benefits, it has a directly contrary tendency. For those who receive as true the doctrine that they were born again in infancy, are most certainly in danger of substituting tbii imginary regeneration for a real spiritual change. In this respect it is pre- cis(;ly on a level with Baptismal Regeneration. And if thoso who believe in the necessity of experimental regeneration, through the deceitfulness of sin, or selfishness of heart nre frequently deceived, and liye without this essential change, how much more likely i» thi-i result to tnke place with those who arc fortified in their sclf- rightebus confidence by a false, but congenial theology 1 Our observations on the general subject of Infant Regeneration, will equally apply to the particular form of it which we have here ex- amined. *■'-''■: :-, JI. N INtIrEST OF CHILDREN IN THE ATONEMENT. Wo coino now to aubinit that vievv of tlio queption, that to us appeals to haimpniza best with the truths of revelation, and the deductions of unbiased reason. In att^niptinnj foimaliy to discuss tho character of unconscious and irresponsible beings, it is diiricuU to find teims to express our meaning^ We here enter on a region^ where the liglit gro\V3 dim* and firm'^fooliug fail.". Tliero are no theological terms to express their condition. Tho scriptures do not supply such. And it i4 scarcely possible to use a single term, in^lefining tho moral condition of infants, not open to well founded objection. This difficulty which exists in the nfllure of the subject,' f :^'- W' iC ' ./* r^.^ -) Am not Hlwnys been foil with Bufllciont weiglif, to gimrU iIiobo ivTio Itavo trotlden tlii* path before us, from confusion ami misapplica- tion of tornjs. All cbUdren born itit(f tho world have a depraved nature. f Through this mysterious taint of our moral nature, there is in all / a tendency to forget God, to sin agninRt his holinoi^ and to tako , pleasure in unrightoousnes.*. Wo have already intimated how- ever, that wo cannot accept as scriptural, those dark pictures of infant guilt and wickodnese, Avhich originated in the Calvinistic ^ effort to vindicate tho divine justice, in the imaginary punishment of infants ; by making them sufliciently wicked to justify it. For though acknowledging the universal sinfulness of human nature, wo must not, as is well observed by llev. R. Watson, " regard tho f legal part ot tho transaction, which affdCted our flist parents and \ their posterity, separately from tho evangelical provision of mercy , which was Concuirent with it; and which inclujling in like man - ner, them and their whole race." Through this « provision," all children are in a gracious state. 1 They have such an interest in the atonement of Christ, as places \ them in a state of justification and ^acceptance before Go<1, and gives them a titio to n Hvon. We use the term » justification'^ ia an accommodated sense, as they cannot ha justified in the -fame sense, i« which an actual tiansgreseor, who repents antT bo- jievcs is jtistified. They have no sins to be forgiven. But by virtue of their interest in the covenant of grace, they stand in a ^roation toGod,injvhich he deals with them, as witli miosewho are justified by faiih in Christ. And through this relationship) to Christ their Saviour, all who die in infancy are saved, and brought home to heaven, aa trophies of the grace of him who is "mighty to save." We have no right to assume, that euch are special cases, made subjects of tpecial regeneration, in view of tbeir being called away from earth. The view here'stated is am-' ply sustained by an appeal to every source of proof bcaiing upon . the question. . .' ■■■■i mm. X. to gimrU tlioRo wfio m and mmpplica- I dopravcd nature. Uurc, tliero is in all olinotft, and to tako ly intimated how- tse dark pictures of in the Calvinistio ^inary puniihment , to justify It. For s of human nature, '^atson, ** regard tho If flist parents and provision of mercy lading in like n ^an - n a gracious slate, of Christ, as places se hefore Gode(ith.''—(K8V.R. Watson). 3. This view of infant childhood lucidly set forth in !ho word of God, is corroborated by reason; and harmonizes with oiMdeepcst ■- . yh-- ■--■ 16 Hi' it.- ■•ft i If ,■•:>■ ■' ' H'v ,1 cmviclionn of riglit. Jnfunt cliildron wo know are Innocent— nre RuillloM of nctmil I ran»iR region. Tliojr hnfo never by vlolatinR the Divine law incurred it* pi-nnliios ; and their pre sent condition in not cauFcd by nnythfnff ihey have done, or nnay do. Every feel- ing of our unbiBsurtd nature, every idea of justiceond ri^hteous- ncM, riHen up in rebellion nptainst the thouglit O^aTioly and jUBt God, consigning to eternal, misftry ami death, those hclploM and un- offending innocents. We feel that it cannot be. No soplurtry of , argument, no aulhoritv of erocdsjcan liush the shuddeiing repug- nance, which »uch a tli^ght wnkes up in every rightly constituted mind. The univorsnlitj'W i»trength of this feel in,!? is umnistake- ably seen, in the fnct, thatlJVpitfe of creeds and oonHNions of fmth that would bgically lead to a (bninl of the salvation of infaqtjs who die, in infaiSy, (or at least many of them,) there have been few unwilling to sacrifico the consistency of their theology, rather thao attribute such cruelty to God the Merciful and Just, If it be thought by any, that the suffering of infantr. is Incrnsistent with so high a moral relationdiip to Ood, as we have aswgned them ; ■ 't must be remembered, that all natural evil aiid suffering is not i punishment for ein. Tliia has been often unwarrantably ateumed ; but there are wise ends for which suffering may exist in the world, without existing as punishment. Those who maintain the dark view of the question we are opposing, endeavour to relievo theirfeel- ings, by removing the diffuuUy one step further back. They can- < not think that God would punish innocent beings wi;h suffering; ! but they dec'arc that Ho imputes the sitvof Adam to them, and ^ accounts them guilty, that they may be suitable objects of punish- rn^ntl If it would be cruel an i ilmjust' to punish them ifinno- cont,*it would be equilly so, to impute guilt to them in order to expose them to suffeiing. Pon, nor in his own |>erson il sin wm ho ooncivo*!, when as yot ho had no con- scious Ix'ing. In spite of all the efforts of minds, warped by pre- judice, to save lheolt)j;ical systems, at Uio expense of reason and trulh, th"» character of our Creator, tho Ood of Loto, a " fK»d of truth and without iniquity, ju4t and ri'^ht,*' is an unfailing pledge, that they who never trans^jresaed, shall not bo condemn»"tly »I'I«>>« »" '^f"'''; of Ibi. .«u«.,.tio.>, but in v.l„. TK.., »r. '"•"»'"" ''>:T";'»™ nfl" rln.r..ion i. any form ..i«.d. .li« ««.«. who « Itnly nf.i„t„in .b.viow^.. f»-.b b, Mr. Morcc.n, wouW no, b, m U.r.ly iu prconling il9fllu|.po't H'"'' P"""""- , . , . , 1„. lUouU wo CM.n'^rtein .Ue nalura of Ihc point «l !«•■ .irl"', tpl. t.r J "-"-• >" -" -' ''™""""-° coni.iilem.ion. Ih.t linvo loJ IM to reject il. ,•„ the W.r,t 0/ Ood. It wi,l bo readily conceded by all, ba. th™ _ MO portion of .be Uol, Scripture. ..-he, Ihi. a,r.c.ly; and if .stained at all, i. n,u.t be M an inference from »">« P«'8« , ;„ wbicb it ...pear. .0 ':; '■^.'l^i^ '°:7":efuU nroof of an assumo.l position, Ihoro w ^'^MmM^ . ( , ;; 1, wrcting the ym of God to "•»!fl»|;« '^ it to My i but what uken in a .i.nple and m^M^^ir. « iom^ ■ "°l:fr"i.neratio« U almo,. »lw»,. a»umod, to meet a ..«.- .,„ crealJ by the pro.iou. adoption of opinion. wl|.cb reqn.r, -*'■" boiwretcLlly h«, the Word of God. in all »g»,bo.n »ra.na«orU.d,b, .ho.e who came U i. -i.h » theory 0. ftd for wl^#»*«nd proof, in'to^l of™™"? '" f«'.h Wdnnk '"■ f„c.io; a J^elvo tLir doctrin* from thi. ble««l ounta,„ of wMo n «nd l«ht ! It i. often a m..U.r of ».ton,.hraent. when w, "blraw from^tbe clangor of human opinion. «nd .,. .n mdep ud- on, amination of the Divine word, how little .nppoH we Bnd for -••IIIk (Itiotl in IftUglll mikI l\\m\ who that lb Me **f^o cbildren, ion ihI to ttfffroof wbly flJurinR of , in itii defonco. !iii. 1859. ovon pturftl pro >f for** wrilorH who w n, would not bo point ntinBue, ay preientthoio )n is not taujht by R»l, tliat thcro directly ; and if om somo pwsig^ roHoarchea for lard carefully we wis to meet a oecei- Ds which require , in all ages, boon ■ with Be theory or 1 faith to drink in - (leased fountain of i«hment, when we id sit in independ- mpport wc find for Ml #• }i haf« b««n mand. U contention with iiidutpn- CM* but found (lot evvn ihc I'ope wiia not once npken of. Th« t«'xt u|K)n which the wholu doctrine of the nect'iwity of of Iiifiint lloguneration In bnMKJ, i« ^ohn iii. 3., *' Kxcopt a innu ue born ngniii, h« cannot wo the Kiriji^doin of (Jod.' TLi« text aod the connexion, mmi cinplinticallytlvclare the nocewity of regt'nera- lion, in order to eternal life in nil who are oapahio of experiencing ' thi« great cluing(«. Hut aMuredly it cannot bo applied to thorn, who arc in ihqir very nature incapable of experiencing what t« • implied by regonorntion ; without a gross violation of every allow- able rule of Wcripture interpretation. It should be rementbvred by nil who explain these words of the Saviour, in this unwarrantrtbly eoniprehmisive cense, that there are other conditions of salvation laid down in the Hible,oxpreeDed in language equally explicit and comprehensive, which no one finds any difllculty in considering inapplicMble to children. The saino great Teacher decfaires, •* Except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish," (Luke xiii. 5.) " lie that belluveth not sJinll be damn- •'el!!^' (Mark xvi. l6). ••Whosoever doth not boar his cross and coriio n(le> me, cannot be my disciple," (Luke xiv. 27). •• He that bolioveth not the Son fchall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth ujion him" (John iii. 86). Now, would not the same rule of iiiterprotaliftn, lead all who believe in the salvation of in- fants, to the conciasion that they •* repent," " boliove on the Son,"' and *' take up tl>« crops and follow Christ," as well as that they arc born agniii f H. conclusion so evidently absurd, that fevv will have the hardihood to accept and muiotain it. ^And if all these declarations can bo consistcotly understood »i referring to adults, and not including infants, what objection can there be, to receiving the words of the Saviour (o Nicodemup, in the aanio way ? It is 'i # V ./ I*) H. '\V '•■"'' ) , : * V / , v'-' A, I 20 ^:v I'h- \ /, especially unforlunale, for those who are so determinate in main- taioing^ that children aro included in this text, that the Lord Jesus was here addressing a man of niature age, whose answer shows that he understood the Saviour as speaking of adults ; and }et that there is nothing in the "reply of tbe Saviour, and his further ex- planation of the suhject that would at all favour the appli- cation of his words to infanta. But rather the contrary, for in this' very conversation, in which he more fully expounds his moaning ~ in the opening woid^, be declares explicitly^ that faith in himself is an essential uondition of eternal life. *'He that believeth not the Son shall not see life!"* is Christ's own exposition of his open- ing words to Nicoderaus," Except a man be born again^he cannot see the Kingdom of GodJ" But not only is there no proof "of this 'doctrine in the Holy Scripture?, but there is very strong counter evidence, in the fact that regeneration, or renewal, is throughout the New , Testanaent, spoken of solely in reference to adults, (U tA^iV privilege and experience, the result of their faith, and the cause of their joy ; and never in any instance, spoken of as the privilege or experience o{ infants. No language that by any fair interpretaiion could possibly convey such a meaning has been pointed out. - Secondly, we object to this doctrine, because the regenera- ' tion of unconscious beings is irrationai and impossible. There is no scriptural definition of Regeneration which caii be predicated of infants. Regeneration is defined by most evangelic Protes- tants as a renovation by the «power of the Holy Ghost, conse- j quent upon repentance and faith, involving a change of feelings, j of disposition, and aifeotions towards God, whereby the consci- ence is enlightened,^ and the will brought into harmony with the will of God. Such a change none but a being possessing self- consciousness and intelligent volition can experience. AH shrink from asserting that repentance, f&ith, and love, form a part of ^ infantile experience J but is not regeneration a change involving ■t. rainate in mmn- the Lord Jesus e answer shows s; and jet that I his further ex- OHt the appli- trarv, for in this' ds his moaning faith in himself lat believeth not lion of his open- igain^he cannot no proof -of thia r strong coanter 1, is throughout ice to adults, (w ■ faith, and the )oken of as the ihat by any fair aning has been e the regenera- oossible. There lii be predicated angelic Protes- \y Ghost, conse- tnge of feelings, eby the consqi- rmony with the possessing self- ice. AH shrink , form a part of hange involving -.: IM-^- ■■.■ ■ Gxpeiienccs equally impossible? Nor will it sulEcetp ray, that with God all things are possible, and that infants may have an ex- perience which wo cannot understand ; unless it be shown that God himself has revealed the fact of this apparent impossibility ; • and that this imaginary infant experience is identical with regen- eration. Many theological terms are applied to infants with unwarranted and confusing laxness ; for unless these terms mean something dis- tinctly different from what they mean when applied to adults^ they cannot be used with fitness or propriety. It is too commonly forgotten that infants are not moral agents-^beings capable of praise or blame, and that it is only, in a limited and accommodated sense that a moral character can. be ascribed to them. The,want of a clear recognition of this marked difference between responsi- ble and irrespoik(ble berngstjias wrapped this whole subject in confusion ; for only moral ag^nt^, possessing power of choice, are capable of experiencing spiritual regeneration^ ' Thikdly, we oppose this doctrine because we bdieveit to be of human origin, and dangerous in tts tendencies. If it is not taught in the Word of God it must be of human origin. Let it be admitted in any form, and it may become a refuge of lies to keep souls back from the experience of the " grace that sure sal- vation brings." Whetber it be baptismal regeneration, or the special regeneration of those who die in infancy,— tbe general \ regeneration of all infants, or the assumption commonly held, that ; God, in answer to the prayer of parents, regenerates their offspring before they arrive at the age of accountability, we consider all these forms of the doctrine unscriptural and dangerous in their tendency. The reception of any of these theories extracts the spiritual forceVand blunts the point of the Saviour's declaration, " Ye must be bora again." If it be assumed that children are sometimes regenerated in irresponsible infancy, bow much good or evil must appear in the life after the age of accountability, in ■M. ■I ■ .1; -.■j order to decide iHthcr the child has been renewed or noH This becomes a very delicate question, and if left to be ^solved by blindly fond parents, or still worse, by a heart naturally inclined to think of itself more highly than it ought to think, may not an imaginary former regeneration be fatally substituted for the re- newing of the Holy Ghost ? Unconscious regeneration is a dan^ geroua and mWeading doctrine in every form. B^^^^^^^^ ieglect the great salvation it maybe ^^''^^''''^'^ I heblcss infant without the performance of the required conditirtrt^^ and if regeneration is in its natm e something that may ^^^ \ enced wUhout the consent of the will, ^e exercise of faith, o^ ev^n a consciousness of the change having taken place.^ay I not \ope that He will have pity on me, when struggling m the^agomes of death, in a state of inability and unconsciousness, and rather than allow me to perish, regenerate my heart, without repenten^^^ or faith onmypartr The doctrine of a regeneration, of which the subject is unconscious, has alas been preached even^firom tnany Protestant pulpits, to the undoing of souls!* Ithass^rength- ^L fetters of self-righteous neglect; and by U thousands bave been cradled into the slumbers of spiritual deaih ; drea.mng ^ regenerated relation to God, while they^are yet tl^slav^o sin. in the gall of bitterness and in the bonds of miquity. What ^^moLelusive and soul-destroying than «ie reception of suchadUuted and perverted Christianity 1 And do we not in- crease the tendency to this dangerous error, by mamtaimng the Vdc^e of infant^generation, in which rC most probably ongin- ""^^may be fi^essary to answer some queries which may l)e su&- .esteTbytheviewoftbe subject here taken. Those who thmk ■ le have taken too high ground in describing the inter^t o chd- to in "the redemption that is in Christ/' may ask, " i infants J^ inl position gils them a claim to heaven, whjr do Uiey re^ %ire_rege^^ — — -*" ; ," • See J . Caird'8 Sermons. ^ *irt.'' '»^ dor not? This 1 be solved by aturally inclined link, may not an uted for the re- era tion is a dan- I. By such as God renews. lired conditio ^ d may be experi*^ rcise of faith, or place, may I not ng in the agonies mess, and rather ithout repentance leration, of which ached even from 1* Ithasstrength- by it thousands 1 death ; dreaming ; yet the slaves of f iniquity. What 1 the reception of Ind do we not ip- t)y malintaining the st probahly origin- which may be sug- Those who think he interest of chil- lay ask, "if infants en, why do they re* ow upSn the sanie btate, wilinot this be unnecessary]" We answer, because re- generation is the conscious union of the sq^l with Ood, the cora- mencement of the life of active holiness in the heart, and' must in the very nature of things take place af^er' the individual has be- tt come consdous of his relation to God and the obligations it *^ involves. Besides infants cannot grow up «n the same state in which they are during infancy, unless they continue in su^h mental imbecility as to render them irresponsible. It is simply impossi- ble for a child to grow up to mature age in the same moral condi- tk)« in which he was during infancy. That condition is special and temporary. For as soon as he becomes accountable to God for his actions, that particular static eases, and a new relatioiiship to God is formed, that of a moral re^onsible agent; and bis fu- ture wesil or woe is then committed to his own keeping, and made to depend upon the use he makes of the opportunities and abilities God bestows. In all periods of life, our rePMnsibility is deter- mined by ihe degree of li(!^t, ability and oppdlfeinity we possess. In childhood the sense of obligation breaks upon th* soul as gently ^ as the dawn of the opening day, till in the light of an expanded intellect, the full weight of responsibility is revealed. The com- mencement of the life of practical holiness, denoted by regenera- , tion, may taie'ijlsice at any time, after the period of conscious i responsibility has tegun. That through the Divine blessing, on parental teachinjg aid. example, a child may grow up a Christian, ^, cannot he questioned, without assuming, that God has made it una-, Toidably necessary that every child shall spend at least a part of his life in the service of Satan, and be exposed to all the danger such service involves. A position that few will accept. Why may not the first responsible acts of life be good, rather than evil? This does not preclude regeneration. The agency of the Holy, Ghost is as fiilly acknowledged m admitting the possibility of chil- dren growing up pious, as in any theory that denies it. That some persons of undoubted pety, who have heen religiously educated, could not remember any point of time, in which they were con- i-'^. I !.. 'V scious of a creat spiritual change, only proves the absence of any S co^Lce of sueh a trS^sition. In the subjecU o ^ tual -.nauence, there may be a general consciousness of results, witliout any introspective recognition of tbe.r experience, as aa- ..weringto that implied in -y theological e,press.on^^>^y notbina of childre„, cases of adults are very com|non..«here, not- w^A tanding convincing evidence of a real spiritual change, the dS^l.seiftosn!t attempted to clas^fj his ejpenenc^; ^dxln only say, « one thing I know, that whereas I was blind, ^llLe-- And if the sense of responsibility opens gradually, :i;^^at1ny fi«d point of time, by what authority do w. Shrability of the Omnipotent to adapt his influences to the ^L^g^^cityof i^^^^^^^ cbildhoodl "l?-"^.'^-- dues of operationibut it is the same God that worketh all m all. He love of God is shed abroad in the youthful heart, coun^r- • ilung sinful tendencies, and giving a disposition and abilUy to jH love, and obey God, this is regeneration; whether it be so '^d'lr whether ii cori^spond in all circumsUnces witlra^t ♦:«« nP not It is equally consonant with sound phdoso- tLumtZ «. shari-ly ouUined ia the cm of cMdren a, m ^I»riioa neigto .. the youthful eoDscieooe. aod no power o r„nr. tog hiit».ha, to h. hrokea up. There k ofte. a grea Sroltrlor poLt» to ti» experience of person, of Mereut "Character and eduoation. But the work « equally genu- hrnn both case, the reault is to enlighte, tho eonse.e.« >^d MtLneJhe heart to love and serve God since™!)-. Nor should . tXrgotten tbat inf«.t baptism loses iu signiacance, .f the^poss,- Mitv of training up chUdre. fa the way of righteonsness « dec..^ Or ° .^y be aied, "if M children are to a gracious state. »by JZTI evidence, of this fa after life t» With regard to smfU dS^rons manifested fa early life, th.s is ^'^"'^^^ ^^^_ fori by the admitted depravity of thcr nature. Nqr .stteten :';4 •25 absence of any bjecU of spiri- ness of results, lerience, as an- ►ssion. To say ion,swbere) not- tial change, tbe is etperiences ; eas I was blind, jpens gradually, aiutbority do we nfluences to the [here are diver- rkethall in all." heart, counter- n and ability to whether it be so ances with adult ' :h sound pbiloso- le life of holiness >f Children as in for remembered and no power of e is often a great rsons of difterent ; is equally genu- ) conscience and J. Nor should it ince, if the possi- lousness is denied, racious state, why Lb regard to sinfuly K:.torily account? Nor is this ten- dency of their nature, inconsistent with what has been stated, of tbe safety of those dying in infancy, and their gracious relation to Christ ; for theirnature is hot their fault, and consequently not a \m\ ground - 1 of condemnation. In the case of persons savingly regenerated by the Divine Spirit, and possessing a satisfying assurance of their acceptance with God, f/tceV nature is not so changed and destroyed* that all tendency to sin is completely removed. For this would imply that there was no further need of the sanctifying Spirit, to subdue unholy tendencies, and to enable us to resist temptation. Yet this liability to sin is consistent with a saving interest in Christ. Nor should it be forgotten, that the moral condition at arty one time is no sure evidence of what the moral condition of the same b^ing may liave been at some other time. Satan was oiice in heaven; And if those who have been converted « fall from their own steadfastness," they too need « to repent and ^o^^JbeJFr; first works," and be recofiverted in order -to-poSess tho Divine favor. But it is not tritfe that there are no signs of gracious influ- ence visible in the young, as they eniergc from infancy to intel- ligent childhood ; else how coul* the Saviour say, « Except ye bo converted, and become as jitCle children, ye shall not «nter into the kingdom 6t heaven." I^ow, con version which inclAdes regenera- tion is liere urged upor^tw in order that we may become like little children. As that resemblance cannot be physical or intellectual it must be in moraf qualities. The period of youth is by all ac- knowledged as a time in which consecration to God is more easy than in afterlife. The conversion of a young person does not excite iia^nuch surprise, nor does the now life commenced contrast so strongly with the former life as in the case of an ailUlt. In (ig cjiildren^it is a traiisition from a lower to a higher state rf grace. If children are so perfectly graceless as some ap- pear to think; why is the honesty, sincerity and humility of child- hood proverbial | Would he not be accounted a rare Christian, , who, with a matured intellect, possessed the guiseless sincerity, » innocency of evil, harmlessness, humility, and trusting faith, of * i- little child 1 No ^tainted purity of nature « advocated ; y^ ^ . tbiok tbat those w\o can see nothing .n young c^h.ldren bu the image of the devil, and the surging of hellish passions, must ^e Aerthrough a different medium from Him who^pres^d them tZ^T to His holy breast, and said, " Of such is the kmgdom of ^^S^the eondUion of infants has points of similarity 1o U>e state of regenerated adults «|reely admitted; but that they are Lticalstltes cannot be mainUed. Any theory of he moral condition of infants that does Ut recognize that condition asa J^culiar state, not to be descrifed by the^ordinary terms by wh^b fdult experience is designated cannot be true to fact By ad- mitting this distincUon all is hlrmonious. We avoid the danger of suLituting an imaginary W a real experience ;^ and by ac- knowledging *e gracious inte est of all children m Chnst, we are brought under the influence o^ powerful motives to "bring them UP in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." In the queslion of how the Omnipotent, may efine and expand the undeveloped iatellects of those who die id infancy, to qualify them for enjdy^ ments of which they are noi incapable, we enter a region of r^ecture and speculation. Adhere God has not^spoken,.t becomes. usibesUent. V^ only kn^w that Infinite Goodn^ Ho^--^ and Justice, are pledged to thLir safety. « Will .ot the Judge of all the earth do right?" '■::.'■'. '■■ m ." : V' .'..■'■':■'.■■:■'■■" TH* EELATION O*' EAPTl^lED CHILDREN TO THE tHUBCH. - It hasbeen already remarlled, that our views pf^he relation of baptized children to the church, Will be modified by ouropmions ofthenatureand design of baptism. In order to rightly appro- :L^Uport of th^saerament, it must l,e contempla^ m a 4o.tbld aspect; both in relation to th$ church, and to the ub- S^f ba^is«; With regard to the Church, it i, - ber part an Mliatioh li the subject of baptism into covenant relation to God -t: 27 , aled; yet we\ ildren but the ions, inust ace pressed thein le kiitgdora of lilarity to the that they are of the moral condition as a 8rms by which fact. By ad- id the danger 1 } and by ac- Christ, we are ) "bring them [n the question e undeveloped lera for enjdy- T a region of ken, it becomes Iness, Holiness, ot the Judge of HE CHUBCII. f the relation of by our opinions ) rightly appre- mtemplated in a and to the sub- son her part an relation to God -^a sign and seal on Ood's part of the spiritual blessings He has promised to them that obfey him ; a special mark of . separation from the unbelieving woHd, &nd of belonging to Christ. On the part of the individual baptized, it is an acknowledgment of the need of regeneration, a sign of faith in Chiist, the visible teal of a covenant to renounce sin and be the Lord's. Th&t baptized childrAh are members of the visible church of Christ must be con* ; cede«l by all who admit the initiatory character of Christian bap- tism ; and this is most clearly implied in Ihe commission given by our Lord to his disciples, (Matt, xxviii. 19.) ♦'Go ye therefore teach all nations, baptizing idbem in (into) the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." The only objection demanding attention is that which denies the right of infant chil- dren to this ordinance. This rights however, is most clearly su»- tained, nor need we here enter at length upon this controverted question. ' 1. The right of children to this ordinance appears most con- clusively from their graciou!* relation to Christ, to which we have rieferred in the preceding pages. And if, (as has been shown,) they ar^ sharers in the blessings of redemption, inheriters of the promises, partakers of the inheritance with the saints in light, ''can any man forbid water Ijiat they slioul i not be baptized," in the name of the Lord Jesus? If they already belong to Christ, why should they be denied the token of their relation to Him? As Abraham received tho sign of circumcision, a seal of the' righteousness of the faith which he had, yet being uncircumcised; so baptism is tho recognition on the part of the Church of the gracious interest which infants already have in Christ, . 2. There is no objection urgtd against infant baptism but has equal force against infant circumcision. Circumcision occupied the samcv position in the Church before Christ, thiit baptism does in the Church posterior.to Christ. It was the initiatory seal of the covenant which GcfU made with Abraham, (which clearly in< '4 i If p i>^^B> if' i ;I^H-^ p- p- • m I ri lii ::i v.. eluded t!.e blessings of salvation tl.rougl. Christ ;) and tl.e public mcann of introducing the Israelilcs into covcna..t relation to (.od. Now the Apostle Paul declares, that this covenant, of which cir- cumcision was the seal, contained the promise of spiritual blessings, and inclail- tlren are uumbers (>f the Chuich of Ch.ist.' In the discussion of tliissul.j.ctlVomtlio ambiguous u^^e of the term Chnrch, much ccufusipn has ai isen. There are suvcral serses in which it i-i used. _^<, /' ' . •-■ '- . , -• ■ ' 1. All who belong to Cliiist.in a spi.iiual sense, throughout llie '■',(■.' I ^ -4 . world. TI.U is somotimo. calloJ U.e inviMble church; Wrim^ G(k1 doly knows who belong to "the general awembly or the church of the firtt-born, x^hose names are written in heaven. ^ 2. The whole aweinbly of professing believers in Christy aftcf those who have been baptized into His nanT^j^ sometiraes --i^ the visible churclu -^ _: . ^ ^ ^* 3. Sometimes His used to mean an association of congrega*- • tions, united under one form of faith and goverrtment. Or, > . 4. AcongregaUm of Chrintians in any locality, united in the same faith, discipline, and forms of- woVahlp. \.' All children in infancy are members of the €%i^ch, in the first " of the preceding sensey, i. e., they are raeinbe»8'^fCh»i*t'8 family, embraced in the covenant of Redemptioo. This we thmk baa been fully derooustraled in the preceding pages. . ' / By Baptism they are introiluced into tiie visible Church, in the' sense of the term, expressed in the secopd of the preceding dofviii- - tions. Their being members in the former sense of the term, is the ground of their claim to become members in the latter sense. They cannot, however, be said to be members of any branch of the Churclj, as the Methodist Church, or the Presbyterian Church , in the sense in which adult Ijjlievers are members of these churclieH. These churches are composed of the local churches; united in a common faith and d i>cipline. Consequently the clnim . of any person to belong to any chuKch designated, will depend upon his relation to s^ local branch of that church. For an individual cannot beMd to bo a member of the Methodist, Pres- ^ byterion, or any othJr church, unless he has been received as a member of some locJH>«anch of such chuich. And baptism is not the mode of reception iiHp church fellowship with such congre- gations (;f believers; but rather baptism into the general church is a pre-rpqu'sito to adm's^ion into any local church. This is con- firmed by the fact that even in the case of adults baptized in any ■ «r dimcb, llioir b«p1 mm alone doe* not conntltute Ihfliii memlxni of ibe church in which Ihey nro bHpti^od. Tho practice of all evangelical churchen in receiving ineinbcin from other churcheii, without ro- baptizing tluin, proves that thU view of the lubject h generally received i.» the churches If my obj'Ct to mtking a dUliaction botweeh the sense iti which children and iidulU are member, ff ., the Church, we reply— we make n )t thin didtinction. It •li»Ujo the very nature of their different conditions. And any exp*ition ot thi* «ubj.c^ that doea not recogniia tba difference, will ^rove contradictory to admitted truth, and locon- tiateat with it<*olf. Sh )uld it bo abked, what constitutea any per- son a raarnber of any particular chuich? wo answer his voluntary ajrreenient to unite in its fdlowahip, and to conform to it* disci- pline, lod as no comjdete plan of church organization is laid down in the New Ttsiament. it in evident that any general branch of the church of Christ, has a right to determine the particular rules and observances to be observed by those who unite in lU fellowBhip; provided always that such rules harmonize with tbo teachingH, the examples, and the spirit of the New Testament. As far as the Holy Scriptures afford direction In matters of disci- pline a.id usage, wo should follow them closely ; and in arrange- ment of matiors in which we have no direct instruction, we should carsfully conform to the spirit of ttieir teaching. To deny th.a riehl to the Church pn the ground that we hate rto right to ereot^ any condition of membership, but that direClly (aught in the Wor^ of God. and to speak of baptlsiii as the only way of reception, w really to forget, that every duty enjoined by the Church is a cpn- dilioa of membership. A duty may bo directly inferred fn)m the tea.ln.d in Ibo Scriptures lb. ugb r.ttcml- ance on pubUc wofbip ban lb.> force of a condiUoa of ,m .nber.b.p in all But would mombors of llw diHoront clnircboH bo jaHt.rtHWo in ab^jnting U«)mHeIvm ./the only form of uniting with the church, and who iu theory make no appreciable distinction between the sen-se in which ch.l- ^ dren and adults are incinbcrs. practically confess a distniclion by requiring an, agreement to observe rules enjoined, as soon as they are capable of such observance. In the llomish and Eng- lish Episcopal churches there is the ceremony of Confirmation, and the Communion of the Eucharist, by which those who were baptized in infancy become actual members in these communions. Hence we see th.at no mere acknowledgment, on the part of any churM. of a different relationship sustained by infants, can really constitute such relationship. To forget this is to deceive our- selves by substituting ftname for the reality. Tlxey are incapa- ble of performing the conditions oT rpsponsible member.ship ; and are therefore, during infancy, unconditional members of the general visible Church of God. In a sense analagous to Uis was the Ethiopian eunuch a member of the Church. He Was by baptism initiated info the visibly church, yet he was not a member of any local chur.;h, nor w as thia the ground of hi s r la im to membership. 13ut chil- hr ) ol;j''ction ortl uf (l»id« ii|> iliat cnn jgli iittiiul- iiuinbernhip air iKspef- «fo botly of ,hip williout ihiH klntion- lake ba|>tiMn ia theory 1 which chil- a distiiictioa " il, as soon as isb and Kng- JonRrrnatiou, Hi who were cominuniotif). jiart of any ts, can Veally" deceive our- f arc incapa- iburship ; anU sf the gehural an eunuch a kted into the al churtli, no^ .; p. But chil- dren, in nddiiron to this are placed under the »pcciaJ watch rare of the church in which they arc bap|; w Church. Nor do we believe in IhegloWing pictures of a restored humanity, to result at once from an acknowledgment of infant claims and a higher regard to their spiritual interests. >tany of these speculations are highly imaginative and impractical, an^ generally ignore the sinful tendencies of a depraved nature. But notwithetandingthe?e concessions, we feel assured that no one can calmly and attentively examine the whole question without arriv- ing at the painful conviction, that almost incalculable numbers " have been lost to the Church and to heaven, whom a more care- ful education, a deeper concern for their salvation, or oipre faith- ful and persevering effort on the part of the church might have saved. Thousands more are still exposed to the same dangers. It is a fearful spectacle to look out upon the millions' of young "hearts, happy and innocent, hurrying on to the vortex of busy life, now under the overshadowing influences of the church, who may yet, through neglect of their claims, share the same sad fate, and go down to tentnt (he habitations of despair. What language shall we use, or what arguments shall we bring, in discussing this theme, to awaken an attention commensurate with its importance? O for a trumpet voice that would strike its wailing noes of warn- ing to the depths of every Christian heart, and rouse the Cjiurch of God to put forth air her energies in the great work of snatch- ing from the power of sin and winning to Christ this vast rising ^ army of young immortals while yet there is hope, before "the ' evil days come," when through the deceitfulness of sin the things that belong totbeir peace shall be hid from^their eyes!- It is one of the most encouraging signs of the times that already an awak- ened zeal in reference to this subject is making itself felt in the Clftirch ; but with a Wore comprehensive appreciation of the work to be done ii) this department, and a willingness to do it faithfully, what blessed results might consistently be expected ! Portions of this work and responsibility are committed to dif- ferent sections of the Church. Christian parents, ministers, pri-; vate members, and the Church in her services, ordinances, and tS' means of instruction, have each important parts of 4his work aissigned them. „ ^.f...! I. To hem mih parental duty. There ,s here evidences of sad neglect. During the tender years of infancy, when the young spirit is opening to receive the moulding influence of early educa- lion, the spiritual interests of the child are nearly solely committed to the parent. . • ■ God has assigneJl them tliis position and relation of protectors and instructors to their children, and the duties which arise from this heaven-appointed relationship cannot be left unperformed^ without guilt to the parent and danger to the child. No mere gener- alizing ahout what the church, in her corporate capacity, should do, will meet the case, if the sentinels stationed at this point by the great Master himself prove false to their splemn trust. Every Chiistian parent must awake to a true conception of his response- ble position as the guardian of eternal inte«.sts. The Church cannot do the work of parents, and during the e^ly years of childhood must work chiufly through parental agency. Every Christian family should he a miniature Church, m which the parents should regard themselves as h9lding an important trust for he faitbful performance of the duties pf which they are directly accountable to God. It is truly deplorable that ift many profes- sedly Christian families, during early education, the moral and religious well-being of children is largely lost sight of ;a?d whie p Wal wants are carefully supplied, and temporal interests anxiously considered, the spiritual exigencies of immortal natures are too frequently forgotten. Since in so many instances parents fail to form a true estimate of the vastness of, the. work assigned them,itbecomesan important subject of enquiry to learn from what causes do this neglect and indifference arise. It cannot, I.ke most other evils, be always directly traced to a want of piety. There are many instances where the piety of the parents is decided, and yet the children are not wisely nor faithfully tramed up m the '■■■ ■'"-";■■.■;..■ ■ . 36.;-v ■::■,•",■;■;.■:•-■■.■■ «!^.^:Stiel '1;: T* ^'^ ««- "■" •™- «-"- Cburcb H i. br n^ •'»«'>■»»«'» h»tor^ of ihe CbiWren of ,1,6 «%r r'w obar"'"' '"'-•'•-S' "»-«'..» for ™ •rti ATrirfr:;'^'"* ^«' «•■"•■»« "■• d.l„f •-Tpio., do„ .j;-bt"::„f7etrf '"*??'•'"» •" should parents arf iJ iw ' "^^ °* "'® ^'^"'•ch supply ? Why provisions of tbe Gospel and tbe "^ W .« e«. ' - .,*™g n, »rl^ye,.,6f e|,i,S '^'"""a" poren.,, .foj ^ father .of mercie, f„ ^VW j ^ t^' ^°- P™,e™ ;„'[..»• "■ey are capable, teach them tl,.;?!"^- -^oJaswona, V --. .0 .heir »w-he,„g,.''"S ^the" •;,h"!'^'"' "■'■^'-. • Clmst ,„ baplhm, and of the obl.V, "V'""" ""'"ration to . • and «™,,, belter. hen, from a;S":^"'r ' bo* or of companion,. A.d S ?^'"''"™«"' "Mhe, of . . »°t -fflcien, .bat ti-e e,pa.t^n^^;trbe ;r" "''^'■•« ■•' ' h*a™gaged and deteloped in „„„""„■""!' ''''^^•^ »• Fofi... Lead them to the Sabb"rbSH""^ '""■•'''' "'"'"eniar «.ace of religious insfrneUonr wl.cror '^.^^^^^^ heaven, and a, VMOn„,.b;i,^;'t""''™°«oandita^^^^^ ., of pa,,„ra, "versigju „rran,™^^^:' ^e'^^^^ °' "'"'^' """ »«.! .0 which 70,tbelo»k .hat tl,», ,' '" „ '" '""> "'« Church OF aimj or the living QoO, - inci Hes ing holi of asli you un(( Inc in a enc reli sup Hue thei fost but , Oft nur hav • leai (|ue thei iriti sow ,• aim gle( ohji ack at I bra -Twe^ be taught, » gradualijr •'ication as ,God, and sonal reli- nco woid attention, regarded 'stnicted ""er snd^ lien ex- f an en- feel the ; fs, that talityi$ to the ■ Ke and oon as , •a^er- < elves, on to • 'My BT of . nt is cui- s- ntaf ncd; or- ' for ■; ed ■ ch-;":-,- ofvv ■■■■'.. ■■.■..■" .30 ■ increase their obligaMons to iigbt faithfuily agafnst the world, the flesh, and thfe devil. If you would.be instrumental in sav- ing your children, yo\i must walk before them in consistent holiness ypui selves. Speak to theirf by the silent eloquence of a holy life. The want of this Ivas caused many to ^o astray. No external influence is more powerful with the young than example. No instructions will haye power for gciod, unless consistency of life evinces the sincerity bf- the instructor. Inconsistency weakens and destroys moral influence. When in a Christian family some weighty interest is decided with refer- ence to it* worldly bearings, apparently without a thought of tlie religious interests fhvolved, is therie not a practical denial of. the supreme importance of eternal things that must exert an, evil in- fluence on youthful minds, and deprive the best admonitions of their weight and power I Such conduct on the part of parents fosters doubts of their sincerity in the minds of their children. Do not ajerely pray for and desire the salvation /sf your children, but LIVE FOR IT, and God will give you the desire of your heart. ^ Offcea *i*hen parents sleep in death, does the remembrance of f^'fli^ sincere piety lead a wanderer back lo God. Ghristian *' nurture is a means of grace of Divine appointment on which we have a right to expect God's blessing, to make, it the means of leading them to a savitag knowledge of Christ. 2. On the part of the Ghurcb there is an acknowledged delin- (|uency. That childreti shduld be baptised by our ministers, and then n(4glected through all their future lives, without any recog- nition of their claims to the pastoral care of the Church, is surely something that oiight not so to be. And yet this is undeniably^ .» almost univefsally the case. ^J^^^ot that tlie Church is wholly ne- glectful of t^e young within the range of her influence ; they are ohject?Sr her eflbirts iu^cprnmon with others; but there is no ' acknowledgfnent in practice that those who have been baptized at her altur£ have special claims to sympathy and, care. Our own. 'branch of the Church, in common With others, has not.yet sufii- ■..■•\ > ciently felt hfer oblations to her children "Vh. «.. ' • . partment of the work have hp f^^'*^"' ^V eflorts » (his de- vaseness of the issues at slake Th!! ""i """"'■P'"'"'^''"'^'' ^° >»'« of li/e-children are d,^flvl.i! ^ v""« '^'^ ^""^'^ ^«"" <'«/ emerge from thst..!7^^P'''"''*^Suardianshi^ye^^^ as over those «hom she L„i 7 u ''''"^ ''•^^ g"""-*^'^^ *»'n"s There should Z^^^^''^''^' -to the name of Chri^;. -claims to this, regard ^Vl '""'""' '^^°«"'''''» ^^ their *^8ht'hathisplSw,^?'''P''^«^ ^''"^ «''0"'d be earhr ; -«^ic.te .r her cofm^n^;;^:^^^^^^ ?« ^ <>fi:ecerlioiiioChurch-fellow8l,;„.i. I f^* •* tegular form ^W "an, of ,w, k^ b.e„ CL Th 7 ''f '° "" """^'■ ll»n sianJout before Ifc. ^A /"»« f«™al receplion would »i»re a, «„,„:';,','^^J°7"« privilege ,ba.M,,e, „„„,d o.. cbaraiier pre^teT; 17,'"'" '^''■'' "°""°W» <» '™l f^r membership, ,».e,l,„ „i,h , V °"'"'°"'"'"' "''• ""'"S ™ "ould „.,„rall^,e„d .oproduTe greater f^'°° '" "" P'""'., 'Wrdu.j-a„dpo.i.io„ |'^7r "''° '""' '"'" '-'""W. •"iiher chiMrel would be Lm '"'"«'-"" l>°"' fteChureh ' •obligation. I„ our fori 'CZ 7™ 1'"" """ ""««" l-romiws of god.(all,e« and ^ '"'^°"' "•« ""■''Wonable • *"ve.a„n.nLparf„ WpU: rr ^°"'"""' """ "^ " fi-ilb of ,be Gospel, and ,o IZT •. ., ^« t ""' '■■"'' '" "•« ' Arable, and wo Id "unlVZlv 1 « ™''^'="''"' '"•■gl.'f ' ■ Though corr.cnn,i;°L,vr ""' ""^ -P««- ness. - , ^ Prac"calljr. there is serious defeciire- 1^. ; ■ j '4 .'*> —A — » — ' — - — •• ' "— ;- -^—9- / •^ . ^ . s '. ■ . 1 " ' ,^^'- ,*■■ ■.ii-- '•■■'.'■(■■■' ^ X in (his (Ie> i«d to tlie iier years *f yet, as becomes 10 wings f Clirist. of their ■ 1)6 earljj that '(he od he is ar form Jifurgy, « would would » their ing on those hurch, . rcum- • hurch ictiro nable ' lurch ', n oT I the * sW ' * be :*' her . BCt. ve- No man coufd hs^ a deeper sense of the importance of the religious education of* the young jhan Mr. Wesley. His excellent Tractical Itistrttcions to PreaclJ^f on this subject pmply*demon- strate tliis. And y4it lliere is no iipfpaitial student of early Molho- dist history biit will be forced to acknowledge, that tbe tenacity witji which that great and good, man ciung to the Established Ipjiurch, wasadirect cause of tlus defect in our provisions for the . , card of the children of tbe Church. tt may be admitted that Mr. Wesley's attachment to the Church' of England was in sofme respect? beneficitil, but most unquestiofibly there were respects in which it was noi bentlicial to early Methodism. Methodism in England was for many years fettered, and.its inQuence weakenedj, by denying to its early ministers ibe right to administer the sacra- ^ racnts. - This of course left the baptism of the children of. the early Methodist Soqiety still in the hands of the clergy of" tlife Establishment, and whatever obligations the performance of that rite created^ devolved on the clergj and Established Churth, and . not on the preachers of JAelhodism. This denied to the early Methodist Church th» right and responsibility of Qonsecrating her* children in baptism, and claiming them as candidates lot her'com- pftanion. No instructions, as to the duty of tlw preachers t6 Fatdh over the young, could make thefn feel (he obligations they would . v. ' have felt had they sustained a dilTerent relation to fljem. They were pr^Qher^ not pastors. Arid afterward, when this evil was remedied^ it was hot so easy to ntake a practical change. All this arose from Mr. Wesley's unwillingness to adopt such a Church organization as would imply perfect indepijndence of the -Establisbed Church,— although Methodisip was practically an in- dependent Church for many years .before his^ death. Wliether our existing arrangements be regarded as defective or not, one thing is clear,' that, better provision must be made for the religioua- eduration of the young, if we would snve them.' This may be/ done either by elevating our Sabbath- Schttols to a higher and -.y the. are «„, i„p„^.. f„; ■ ^^ ;;^;' " «'-■ ■ a clearer *xp„,i,i„„ „f p„.„,„, j J lit . ^l, «^-' of pareah, in baptiziae Heir dZL 7 ""'f' "« "«' <>'>l'ga"<'n» J™veUe.a.iUa.e^, „^:.^-;:^,^-^^ oT^ ; her influence, and save thousand*. frn.« k . ""(S^eati/ extend 1 *_ V \. instrucHon, this ftrent ovetl COO'* nurture of srs .of the jted work, [f children es, as pro- ■ in Class, n ^s their, let such, ppointed atch and frequent is point, gations. all/, or Why adults, Vpirit^ ample Here, B. By g^by a'tions 'onger -hya storal reii*' r.: «'.■-■■ r ap- flend coijn' kfof /■ death. ' wl haite merely space to sugj^'cst these desirable improve- ments, .wit)»out dwelling on. the particulate urrangementi by wbich they>re to be effected.' Every member of the Church of Cjiristi whoso heart has been warmed by heavejily love; should feel tliathe has u duty to perform to^ all the young, who pome within the range of his influttice. And on all opporttme occasions every lover' of the Saviour sheuld be ready to caption, instruct, - and encourage every child to wlwm he .has access; temembering * the words of the blessed Redeemer, that ho tliat recelv<»tl> a little child ^lis name receiveth himself. Christian reader, r^^Sjcmber every little child belongs^o the Saviour, and that no act ofkindly int^test in bis welfare, performed by you, shall lose its reward. O, if the whole Chureb was thus converted into one earn'est band of loving watchers, how different would the- result be to what we witness under the present system of cold indifference to the young! No wonder that children get low ideas about the impoitanco of ♦ salvation, when old professors so pldom maAifest any tender in- ^ terest about their souls. Our obligations to labour faitbfuHy for. the.spiritual welfare of the childreh of the Chureb are urged upon « us by the most weighty considerations. — ^^ I. dfiildhood Js a great and gracious provision for the saJvution of tJie' young. A season* of Wssed opportunity, which, if neglected, can never be recalled. It has been well remarked, by the late Mr.-Mercein, t^fit « It would be strange if Goia did not arrange the circumstances under which an immortal being commenced existetfjce, chiefly with reference to . its spiritual interest?." Conclusive evidence; of this is notwanting* Who can contemplate the days of childish innocence without in- , 'terest f Thoughts of our own childhood brin^ regretful memories -T^ •dince thiB WM wrilteii we haye rend Dr. TJng'« "Fortf Uarif Kxperiena in Sdbbalh-ackaoh,'^ fioiii which it appear, that he Ji).8 roall/.ed what otheta have Only .Ireinnt'd o». We beanily coimncnd tWe boolt to MlniHters and Sabhalh- School Teachew, as in many wpecta the bent boolt ever written on tUta profoundly Uuportaut ■71 '■■'•'■ ,/'-:".: ': ,/ ;■•, 'V; ^ ■ "."-'^s "^^ ■ ■ "'". f- ■'■ /.•# 44- of Its Innoccnjcy and happiness, forevrr fled. And who can look u; on the bVight, happy countenances of yet untainted cliildren* without emotions of anxiety about the future inleicsts and des- tiny of those young imiuoilals budding into life ? , Is it not pain- fully sad and suggestive that this sunny s|.ring of lifu should he so often overcast by cloitds of suffeiing and guilt 1 Hotv frequently does this happen, and how little ao Christians lay 'it to heart ! And yet there is no want of evulcnce that (iod interiile-i this sea- son of opportunity as one in which the young spirit might com- mence its heaven-ward pi'grimage. <' (Jod made childhoud for eternity." Childl.ood presents itself to us like an unblottcd page, on which the holiest lessons may be inscribed ; or which may, ahw J become Dotted and polluted by error, folly, and v^ickedness! Here are unitefi almost all the conditions we could desire to suc- cess. A'guisejess honesty and simplicity that make the workings of the young lieart stand transparently unveiled to'ourscrufiny,-a docile spirit, thirsting for truth and knowledge like a gentle flower- bud yearning for the light,-a lowly humility that, without decep- tion, confesses its ignorance and a trustful fail ll in the teachings of instructors. Such is childhood, turning its young eye upon us for help, love, and guardianship; asking us to improve the season of golden opportunity ; making its ap|»eal to our hearts with silent eloquence, which the torpor of Insenilbility alone presents being irresistible. Here is a brief interval of time In which we are per-' mitted to act,-ra crisis of eternal interest in the history of every individual, which if» allowed' to pass away wiihout Improvement shall never return. It is a precious gift of God, for which we must aecount at last. il. Another considtrnl ion which impiei-sively urges us to iin- proyethe speclill oppo'li'niiiGs which cbitdhoud prej-enlj., i?, tiu clianges tluit will soon take piace^M the setjJs of truth are not deiK)sited in season in the young he^t-r'if the grace of God controls not the tendencies of nature, tU heart where truslliKr {i,ith now i ■-■''-. ■ . /. .'" ':. - , -3 ■ . -. ■' >■".. "" ••" '. .- •■■■ /, ■ ■■.;.-;■:":■' . ■, " ..rrrC^'^r ■^ :::-■:' •;' i. < ■ ' , -t . ■' ■ ■ ' .'. " '«.'i-' ■ . • ■ • . , ■ a ■ ' ■ »" ■ . ■ - - p 'v ■-'-'■ ^v ■■■ '■■ ■ - * • '* ■ ■■/- '■■ ": • ' ■-'' '}<■£' "*""'» "'"', ;r? ,rX pita :l Ur.co„nden=e. a™. . ; U,o .,i,i. .I..t .«« W«7'7'"7 1't. " I fitter ib. -"'• :-^- 0„1y .1,0 .x,,e,ie-c„ of » f « .^^^ ?„ -hadow, around cv«y .. . """7l,:'7°^:tZXl»W«e'- prove n-Ufe -^ V youlWul brow. 5|ow anxi u _ „|,«n 1 In .he caae ot , "•* ~"'"r. Vf •:::: r 1 ;up„ ...e ..aW..-nd.ie,.. .. :; that Tliey l""^" <^"V ^'*^'' y , -^^ in thkr Wo •'want* -V ' -J-- g^eratio,. of Cl„is.,.n^ '"•*"°:;/'°7|f;„7i,L to .aUe up .!« ' - eros, and deny Ae>n.*e-. and '«'^"; * "^^ L^ "nod to e«ry ?' CWUlian. Bul,lhbde.>,»bleros„ltcano«ly » . f hearta-from tl.o 6«y da-U 01 I ^^ f„„artl. alon, VroM _ ;„ .piri. of tba .o..d «^;^^ ;^^'';:tbk, foilio., andVfroii^th. tl,e anureroenla and ««'«''""■ ^ ^„j ,.„, i^.„ iu «,„! deatroy . , .auctionaof in|^^e.a™._^, ;pn;;^ ing forms, burely uang« » ^ what a host «5f tnonsters Rra — — ;• ' . ; -" '■ ■ < r' — :.. .- '• ■ .'-- — — — • * -'*,■■ ... •I / •«rlh ami frewo every gencrou, impulno of .ympnthj «„d benevo- lence^/^ m«/r.,tl,at «miU bland ly t<. luro tLo unw,,ry,while th, ,,.«,,„ of moral dea.b lurka bc„««tl. that b..Ilow promJHO of bap,.i,u j. J doubting un*./,./ .bat -oothB tbe pang, of a Mifl.d JLco ^'^^ • rejection of tbe voice of infinito lovo, only to lur« on its infatnat-d ^^ . »icumii to a deeper alienation and a blacker de*pa[r. All tbeso lurk nfong tbopatb.of life to ertect tbo wo.kof destruction; and.hould" no^^ be knowledge of foe. .0 dr.adn.1. and cl«ngo« «> alarn.i„;^ armor of God, that ibey may bo prepa«,d to figit and win on tbo groat battle-field on ^bich thoy are ante. in, ?'^ Cbri,ti«r„ your childre. are launching upon life's ocean Voyage. IIuw .ball Ihey go ? Sball it bo provided wi.b nece.Bary «UppIie«, a true com. ra« Hnd a trustworthy chronometer ? Or .hall it be without compass or helm to be .wept before th3 wind^ and wave* of temptation till wrecked on .ome fatal reef; Iho «id rt»ult of you|ifldiffewnce to tboit .pintual interests in the spring time of life t/ Immortal intoren. a are committed to your keeping, endeavor to perform tha work assigned you with prayerful anxiety, looking frc,m the things that are .een andtemporal to those that are unseen and eternal., '♦ 4. And is nottbe ch«rch of God urged to more consistent oarncBtness in be.* efforts to save the yo.ing by the losses sfie /ms ^mstame4by past neglect. Wbatasad catalogue of crime and sorrow ba. resulted from tbe neglect of early spiritual culture! disobedience to parenls-forgetfulness of f Jod-loss of character and power of usefulness-death witl.ouf, hope and the eternal loes of the Boul, have been witnessed under circumstances that gave ground to conclude that if all who m me the name of Chri^thad faithfully done their duty, it might not «) haVo been with mmy now forever uodooe. , --^The law of progress inour own church baa been conquest ratheT ' than growti. How much ministerial time aod toilsome effort has beap expended, (often with tittle Buccem) to endeavoring to brinir \ •.:.s m i ■ ■ f .1.. 1I.0M «Joiico « fie kf«i>ly «"«''?'''''» „i«hl.,avob«»»veJl.,«u««"Jt™'y W. W .» «'« - -p,.,., -,l,..t H m.y »bo»m. :"7 "fe'-^/p'Ln.tag . more .3rn>n.«.r.«.l .m,o. »' J^f „f Le hitherto aone. 1„ conclu.,™, '« "' "7;7l. j„t ,,, ,ho i,»..<.ciion »».l gUBrdinrahip °' "">"""»' ,J„j,,,i„ „hell he come, to render ..11 „. to »n «»"nt of our "t'l^^^ ^nd if, .l.ronel. pride, „„.„evor, ...n """"''"f^X ^^ „t.,. fjue to o„r trn.t, we may m that dny be cumm yi ^ ^^^^ „.,.ho voiceorthe »d^4^ - IX. « ..0 " - TO MB." ! \ --H- .X \ \ ■1 -ound ( ' \ / \iMy » ' #. *- rever \ .-■> ^ * . .■■.^^■. * \ • A ■ atheiT „. ^_^_ ^ t h«s ^- ■ if ■ brjiii^ \ , i \ \ \ ■ ; '■)< ' ! ^*^ w:w'X "^'. >> ^ V T- 4.X*S.«t' % ,^v f iSir. ^L ~1^' ' f\ *■. - [\ J. '. '■'• . ^^*!5 '^t^^^- . %■ ... ■/• ■.» "■'".■- »■■ ..#. / '1 , * J • ^ ^,;^^."p;;-. ;;■:;,;:• > ,■ ♦ ■ :..:.J,, -Vr/r ■ '"^m %.' f -'■'.''.: ■■ ■ . •,,■•■■.■■ '." . ■■ ' -■;•'• .■ :• ':'"' '^ '--: ' ' '. ■;■ "■:;■- , . , ■, * . :m i::---..; .■;■■/, • ■.■■*':'-.', ■■ ..'■• .. ..■ , : ■- '' ■'.. ':m^:: • -'^^- 'c':--' ^'^